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Preparing for birth with the Lamaze method

The Lamaze method was developed by French obstetrician Ferdinand
Lamaze in the early 1950s and is one of the most common birthing programs today.
You can learn this method by taking a series of classes. The goals of these
classes are to help you get ready for labor and to replace any negative
preconceptions about pregnancy and the birth process with positive feelings.

These
classes will also help you learn coping and pain management skills for
the birth. Participants and their Lamaze partners are taught relaxation
techniques and breathing patterns to help ease the discomfort of labor and
birth.

These skills are taught in classes over the course of six to
eight weeks. Pregnant women can attend with their chosen Lamaze partner. Keep
reading to learn about a typical series of Lamaze classes and what you’ll learn
each week.

First class: Third
trimester

Your first Lamaze class will give an overview of the
anatomical, physiological, and emotional changes that are part of pregnancy. It
will focus on changes in the third trimester. Common topics and activities in
the first class include:

Your expectations

You and your partner are encouraged to share your thoughts,
fears, and feelings. You’re taught to trust each other and to work together.

Normal discomforts of pregnancy

You and your partner are taught to provide counter pressure
for low backaches and pains by steadily pushing on your lower back. You’re both
encouraged to discuss any discomfort you’re experiencing. Your instructor will
teach you about different remedies.

Nutritional needs

You continue to need additional nutrient-dense calories for
a healthy baby. Brain cell development occurs throughout the last trimester and
up until 18 months after birth, during which time proper nutrition is very
important.

Changes in the third trimester

The first Lamaze class will also cover changes in the third
trimester. As your body grows to accommodate the growing baby, you may begin to
experience the following changes:

You may feel a lack of energy or tiredness.

You may laugh or cry easily.

You’ll have an increase in blood volume.

You may notice generalized swelling.

You may need to urinate frequently.

Activities

The activity session for the first class may include
progressive relaxation, positive affirmations, and positive imagery.

You and your partner can practice progressive relaxation. During
progressive relaxation, you first contract and then relax each body part,
starting with your feet. This process helps you recognize how your body feels
when it’s relaxed and not tense. During labor, your cervix opens more easily if
you’re relaxed.

You’ll also practice positive affirmations, replacing
negative thoughts with positive images. One example is welcoming the
contraction as you feel the pain begin.

You can also visualize the work of the contraction by using
positive imagery.

Second class: Special place imagery

During the second class, you’ll discuss:

fetal growth

fetal development

fetal movement counting

waking and sleeping cycles of babies

You’ll build upon the discussion of feelings about labor and
birth that you explored in the first class. You’ll also review anatomical and
physiological changes during labor and birth. Some instructors choose the
second class as the time to show birthing movies to participants.

Special place imagery

A second relaxation sequence is taught during the activity
portion of the class. Using special place imagery involves picturing yourself
in a pleasant place and focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells of the
special place. This technique helps you distract yourself from the pain and
focus on positive feelings.

Third class: The Lamaze theory

You’ll probably learn more about Lamaze's theory as well as
fetal development and some breathing techniques during the third class.

The Lamaze theory

Your instructor will present and discuss the perception of
pain. You may be encouraged to share what you’ve been told or believe regarding
labor. A detailed discussion about what happens during birth can help demystify
the delivery process.

As you understand more about the nature of birth, you may
begin to see it more and more as a normal event. Childbirth preparation can help
you and your partner trust more in your body’s ability to experience the birth
of your baby positively. It can also help you and your partner to participate
in the experience more fully.

Fetal development

Another focus of the third class is the developing fetus and
its transition to a newborn baby. You’ll learn:

how your developing baby is practicing breathing

how your baby is strengthening and exercising
their muscles

when your baby begins to hear sound

when your baby starts to develop sight

You’ll also discuss how alert and reactive a newborn baby
will be in their first 30 minutes of life and that it’s often best to start
breast-feeding while the baby is active.

Breathing techniques

Lamaze breathing techniques teach you to pattern your
breathing to decrease the pain you feel. As each contraction begins, you take a
deep, or cleansing, breath. This deep breath is followed by slow, deep
breathing in through the nose and out through pursed lips. The focus on careful
breathing distracts you and decreases how much discomfort you perceive.

Another breathing regimen is to pant slowly while repeating
the sounds “hee, hee, hee.” Your partner will assist you, breathing with you
and encouraging you. If you feel the urge to push before your cervix is fully
dilated, you may need to blow out more rapid, short breaths. You’re encouraged
to learn and practice these breathing techniques ahead of time, finding the
ones you find most useful during labor.

Fourth class: Active labor

The focus of the fourth class is active labor, which begins
when the cervix is dilated about 4 centimeters (cm). Your partner will learn
techniques to help support you in active labor. You’ll also learn about touch
relaxation, which is a strategy to help loosen your muscles during labor.

Active labor

As the uterus repeatedly contracts, the cervix progressively
dilates. During early labor, the contractions are short and occur every 20 to
30 minutes. Early labor usually progresses slowly. When the cervix is about 6
cm dilated, active labor begins. Contractions will occur closer together and with
more intensity. Labor usually progresses more rapidly. You may need help with
focusing and dealing with the pain at this time.

As the cervix dilates to 6 to 8 cm, labor is intense. This
level of dilation is sometimes called the stage of transition. During this time,
you and your partner will work very hard to deal with labor. A jetted tub,
rocking chair, or birthing ball may help you get more comfortable.

When your cervix is fully dilated, the first stage of labor
is complete. In the second stage of labor, you’ll usually feel an urge to push
as the baby descends into the birth canal. With each contraction you’re
encouraged to take in a breath and push the baby down and under your pubic
bone. As the baby's head stretches the vaginal opening and becomes visible, you
can reach down and touch the baby's head to help you focus.

Your partner is encouraged to:

breathe with you

remind you that you’re doing a great job

massage your back, thighs, or lower abdomen

give you liquids to drink

give you a cool cloth for your forehead

be present with you

Touch relaxation

Touch relaxation is a technique to you’ll be taught to help
you cope with labor pains. You learn to condition yourself to relax each muscle
group as your partner touches it. Your partner learns to identify how you look
when you’re tense and to touch the tense area to help you loosen the muscles.

Fifth class: Pushing techniques

During the fifth class, you’ll learn pushing techniques and
strategies to ease back pain during labor. You’ll also discuss how to prepare
for the first few weeks after you give birth.

Pushing techniques

You may find yourself involuntarily pushing as your baby
moves down the birth canal. There are various techniques to assist this natural
urge. You can take in a breath at the beginning of the contraction and slowly
release the air as you push. This is known as the open glottis method. You can
also take in a deep breath, hold the breath, and bear down with all the force
you can muster.

Back labor

Some women feel most of the pain of labor in their back.
Pelvic rocking on your hands and knees or squatting can ease this discomfort. A
hot pack or an ice pack on the lower back may also be helpful. Firm
counter-pressure applied to your lower back by your partner can also provide some
comfort.

Postpartum coping

You and your partner are encouraged to prepare yourselves
and your home for the arrival of a new baby. A supply of easy-to-fix, nutritious
foods are helpful during this time. You should learn to accept help from
friends and family. You’re encouraged to nurture your sense of humor as you
learn the skills of parenting a new baby.

Sixth class: Rehearsal

The sixth and final class will consist of a review of the
materials covered throughout the program. You’ll also participate in a labor
rehearsal. An important goal of the final class is to help you understand that
the birth process is a normal process.

The takeaway

The Lamaze method is just one program that can help you get
ready for birth. Many people find the strategies and techniques it teaches helpful
for the big day and beyond. A little preparation can help you go into labor feeling
positive and confident about what’s going to happen.